My first time at a spa was an experience I thought would be worth writing down, mostly so I can take notes for next time.

Spas have always intimidated me.  Let’s just say, I grew up collecting families of toads in a handmade toad farm at our cabin during any spare time, not typically indulging in the lubrication of our backbones.  As I grew older & away from my cabin life, a spa seemed reserved for rich people who pay for physical touch, by strangers.  I don’t consider myself afraid of touch but was never interested in strangers being involved.  Especially with no conversation first.  Like, what’s happening?  I can’t be the only one who wishes they could be friends with their masseuse.

Since the spas in Dubai are so popular & there’s a wide variety of exceptional hotels that offer spa services, Wafiq & I wanted to indulge on our last trip abroad.  He’s not afraid.  And I’m not about to hold us back.  Because I’m a psychopath, I didn’t want to be separated from him, which costs extra to do a couples massage & you can’t enjoy all the spa facilities if you’re trying to handhold your boyfriend… SO, I had to get past my attachment issue.

Mentally, I surrendered to the process.

Off I went to my side of the spa, with a meeting point at the shared pool where Wafiq & I could come up with a game plan to utilize the whirlpools, shoulder massage waterfall, sauna, polar plunge, ect.  Little did us noobs understand we were supposed to be waiting in the chair area 5 minutes before the scheduled massage time.  Our massage therapists had to go outside & pull us from playing in the swimming pool.  We were supposed to be changed into our dry robe with the throw-away underwear on before the massage. Noted.

Luckily this was literally the sweetest spa I’ve been to.  Although I haven’t fully immersed myself in a spa environment before, I have been to a spa.  Haircuts, nails, an occasional massage & hotel tours have previously brought me through a spa, so I’m familiar with the regular staff & ambiance, but never fully indulged in every crack & crevis.

My massage therapist didn’t even roll her eyes when she realized I was still in my swimsuit, completely unprepared for what was next.  She simply stepped out as I scattered to change out of my soaking suit.   To my surprise, she proceeded to give me the best massage of my life!  Now that I know that the level of expertise exists, I have a new hobby.  I ended up going back to her while on my trip because I didn’t want to leave her.  She made me consider moving back to Dubai.   I think THE KEY to enjoying a massage is finding a type of massage & therapist that you like.  I’ve had a massage before but they never left me wanting more.  It was always, meh.  Since having that perfect massage, I feel like I know the goal.  From my expierence, not all massages are created equal & you have to play around a little until you find one that best suits your preferences, but once you do, there’s no going back.

1st Time At the Spa Tips:

– Ask to tour the facility FIRST so they can step you through the spa & give you a quick heads up of what the hell you’re supposed to do upon entering.

– Use the facilities, they’re part of the price so you might as well.   If you see it, try it.  If you can’t see it because it’s dark (I noticed that happens) wait for your eyes to adjust or get really close.  Seriously.  Don’t fear the unknown here.

– Engage in the amenities others are ignoring. Be the lone wolf.  A lot of the amenities are fantastic for your health & really expensive individually – so take advantage of as much as you can!  I noticed no one was using the steam room or the polar plunge, but I still did both.

– Know where & when to wait.

– Bring & wear your swimsuit for the amenities.  Wear a clean robe for the massage.

– Arrive with enough time to use all the facilities, possibly ask what each spa offers before going? You know, what amenities are offered.  Are we talking steam room?  Whirlpool?  Polar plunge? Lavender towels & food?  A heads up is nice.

-If it’s a really nice spa, they’ll have super clean showers to use when you finish so bring a change of clothes & hairbrush so you leave truly feeling transformed into a healthy goddess

-Be so confident that you’ll trick yourself into thinking you’ve actually done this before

I noticed a lot of the other people at the spa were in groups, I remembered a spa is something girlfriends do together.  That makes sense since guys don’t usually share the locker room so your boyfriend isn’t the best partner.   I felt a little like I was in high school again, alone while all the cooler people loitered together.  BUT, confidence made it happen for me.  I imagined I was like THE cool girl who navigated the waters fearlessly, alone & mysteriously.  Like, almost too cool.  While they were sipping coffees & eating cookies – I was in the nearby polar plunge barely surviving my gasps of air.  I felt hardcore in a powerful way, although that was not reality, it doesn’t matter.

I share this story because it’s the year of FUN!  Remember?  This is NOT the time to skip doing activities because you’re worried about what someone else will think, or what you’ll do wrong, or how you’ll look.  Ew.  Who gives a flying fuck when you’re trying to have fun.  I’ve avoided spas for a long time, they felt uncomfortable.  But I went for it even with those feelings, & I’m happy I did.  Maybe this spa experience doesn’t scare you, but something else does.  Go for it 🙂

For anyone in Dubai or planning to go, I checked out several Spa’s on my trip & my favorite was hands down the Spa at Sofitel Dubai the Palm.  The staff & amenities were incredible & the spa area was HUGE.

That’s all for today!

Love you,

be thoughtful

Xx

What I Would Wear To The Spa: